Midas Blenny or watchman goby?

mamareef · Jul 16, 2021

Just patiently waiting for my new 20g tank to cycle… dreaming and over-thinking my stock wishlist…
Midas blenny or watchman goby? I am also planning on a pair of clownfish, a blood red shrimp, and maybe a snail and hermit crab. Wanting to keep a low bio load for the small tank.

as for corals… wanting to stick to easy basics. Hammer, pulsing Xenia, Kenya tree… not sure what else. Any recommendations?
Thanks!

Jaden9933 · Jul 16, 2021

mamareef said:
Just patiently waiting for my new 20g tank to cycle… dreaming and over-thinking my stock wishlist…
Midas blenny or watchman goby? I am also planning on a pair of clownfish, a blood red shrimp, and maybe a snail and hermit crab. Wanting to keep a low bio load for the small tank.

as for corals… wanting to stick to easy basics. Hammer, pulsing Xenia, Kenya tree… not sure what else. Any recommendations?
Thanks!

Those are all really nice fish choices! I’d say to be careful with the goby and some blennies as they are known to send sand up into the water current that ends up settling on corals. It’s not a problem if you’re anything like me and sit there daily with a turkey baster clearing them off periodically. It’s never caused a problem for me and my chalice constantly gets sand in it, yet it is still happy and growing! As for more corals, I personally loves zoas and bet you’d definitely be able to find at least a few you like!

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jul 16, 2021

I think gobies are more peaceful and will be more open to accepting new tank-mates if you want to add them later. Midas blenny is supposed to be non aggressive, but lots of stories online if you google it,

Weasel1960 · Jul 16, 2021

Nice looking aquascape

Research Monkey · Jul 16, 2021

You'll need more than just a snail and a hermit crab. Look up "clean up crew" or "CUC". You'll end up with a handful of them (Astrea, Nassarius, Conch, Trochus, Hermits, etc. etc.).

Also search for Pistol Shrimp / Shrimp Goby (watchman is a shrimp Goby). They are probably the most interesting pair to watch in my tank.

I have a pair of clowns, six line wrasse, and a yellow watchman in my 20 peninsula.

mamareef · Jul 16, 2021

Research Monkey said:
You'll need more than just a snail and a hermit crab. Look up "clean up crew" or "CUC". You'll end up with a handful of them (Astrea, Nassarius, Conch, Trochus, Hermits, etc. etc.).

Also search for Pistol Shrimp / Shrimp Goby (watchman is a shrimp Goby). They are probably the most interesting pair to watch in my tank.

I have a pair of clowns, six line wrasse, and a yellow watchman in my 20 peninsula.

The goby/pistol shrimp pair does look extremely interesting! I kind of had my heart set in a blood red shrimp… I don’t know if I’d be able have 2 different types of shrimp... do you? Like.. a watchman, a pistol shrimp, and blood shrimp?

Research Monkey · Jul 17, 2021

mamareef said:
The goby/pistol shrimp pair does look extremely interesting! I kind of had my heart set in a blood red shrimp… I don’t know if I’d be able have 2 different types of shrimp... do you? Like.. a watchman, a pistol shrimp, and blood shrimp?

I have a peppermint shrimp as well. They don't bother each other. Pretty sure a fire shrimp / blood red shrimp is peaceful.

Clo · Jul 17, 2021

Midas blenny! Mine swims around everywhere, has found every hole in the rock and only threw up sand when he was trying to get into a hidey hole that was right at the sand level!

MohrReefs · Jul 17, 2021

Midas

Spare time · Jul 17, 2021

mamareef said:
Just patiently waiting for my new 20g tank to cycle… dreaming and over-thinking my stock wishlist…
Midas blenny or watchman goby? I am also planning on a pair of clownfish, a blood red shrimp, and maybe a snail and hermit crab. Wanting to keep a low bio load for the small tank.

as for corals… wanting to stick to easy basics. Hammer, pulsing Xenia, Kenya tree… not sure what else. Any recommendations?
Thanks!

Why not both?

mike89t · Jul 17, 2021

I loved my Midas Blenny that I had in my old tank back in the day. Will be getting another one when my new tank is up and running.

adittam · Jul 17, 2021

Blennies are awesome. Way more interesting than gobies, in my opinion. I love my bicolor blenny. Favorite fish I've had.

BelieveInBlue · Jul 17, 2021

I have a blue midas blenny. He's fantastic. Greedy little bugger, always at the glass begging for food. Has tried on multiple occasions to drink the alk/calc supplements I dose for my corals, but it doesn't seem to do any harm.

Ocean’s Piece · Jul 17, 2021

Spare time said:
Why not both?

It’s a risk also. Blennies and gobies are sometimes known to not like each other and other times they’re perfectly fine. Only reason why I’m debating having both.

Magostini · Jul 18, 2021

Midas Blenny!
I have one and I love it. I have many other fish here bigger and smaller and it is very peaceful.
Unfortunately it is my second midas because the first one jumped and my dog got him....but now I have a lid and I noticed you are prepared too

Clo · Jul 18, 2021

Seriously though, get the blenny

My banana loves to swim and perch, he’s the first to come to the top abs beg for food when I walk around.

mamareef · Jul 18, 2021

Clo said:
Seriously though, get the blenny

My banana loves to swim and perch, he’s the first to come to the top abs beg for food when I walk around.

Love it! I am so excited now! He looks like he’s smiling

Clo · Jul 18, 2021

mamareef said:
Love it! I am so excited now! He looks like he’s smiling

They have a lot of personality and color. Mine goes back and forth between being yellow and yellow-pink-purple!

Apparently they swim with anthias a lot and mimic those colors!

MohrReefs · Jul 18, 2021

MiniReefInABox said:
It’s a risk also. Blennies and gobies are sometimes known to not like each other and other times they’re perfectly fine. Only reason why I’m debating having both.

Can confirm, Starry belnny regularly beats up my diamond goby.